(Mitsubishi has built various Eclipse sport coupes to appeal to
buyers that range from boulevard-cruising "wannabees" to skilled drivers
who consider twisting roads a challenge. Bob Hagin liked the GS model
Eclipse while his son Tom liked the rush of the turbocharged models.)

BOB - Even though they look alike from the outside and share
underpinnings from the Galant sedan, there are really a bunch of Eclipse
coupes, and the difference is under the skin. The RS is the entry-level
version with drum brakes in the rear and limited performance options
available, while the GS and GS convertible model are next. The hot rods
are the GS-T, and the Eclipse GSX. Being a somewhat moderate driver, I
liked the mid-line GS version we tested. It has plenty of power, handles
predictably and comes standard with lots of nice features.

TOM - You're right about how the hardware is different on the
various models. The Chrysler-built 2.0 liter non-turbo engine powering
RS and GS models is also used in the Dodge and Plymouth Neon Sport
Coupes, while the turbo unit is made by Mitsubishi - the two don't even
share any parts. And although you'll never get me to like the non-turbo
Eclipses better than the hot-rod versions, I'll admit that our tester
hustled along quite well. But since the Eclipse GS-T and GSX also have
stiffer shocks and sway bars for better handling, along with larger
brakes and tires, they handle much better. I've driven them before, and
they are one of the fastest cars on the road for the money.

BOB - And I'll bet that they ride harsh around town, too. I liked
how all the models have the same sweeping interior curves and the way
the contoured seats keep you in place if you do toss the Eclipse through
some sweepers. But all the sporty coupes are a little tight inside and
after being used to driving around in my van, it took some time to shake
the feeling I got of "wearing" the Eclipse, rather than driving it.

TOM - It's even more "cozy" in back, Dad - I wouldn't want to use
any of the Eclipse models on a double-date. Our test car had nice cloth
upholstery but no power seats. In fact, you can only get power seats in
in the leather-upholstered, top-of-the-line model and even then, it's
only on the driver's side. I'd liked to have tried the Homelink system,
standard on the top three models. It will control a garage door, home
security system and house lights all from one control unit that takes
the place of three transmitters. The trouble is, I don't have any of
those automatic "things" in my apartment.

BOB - You have to have a high-tech place to use those high-tech
gadgets, Tom, but I inadvertently used the "panic" security system that
came with the remote door lock opener. Two times I pushed the wrong
button trying to get inside and the headlights started flashing and the
horn began to blow repeatedly. The system shuts itself off after three
minutes, but fortunately I was able to deactivate it quicker than that
both times. It's very embarrassing to have it go off in a parking lot at
night although it sure does its job of attracting attention.

TOM - That's what it's supposed to do and it works well. But I'd
rather have used the optional CD system that mounts a 10-disc changer in
the trunk and a single CD player in the dash. That way I can listen to
hours of non-stop CDs on long trips. But it's pricey at over $1000.

BOB - It usually takes me my whole tour in the car to figure out how
to use the cassette player much less how to decipher the instructions on
the disc system. It's the analogy of the old dog and new tricks, I
guess. I'm more at home crawling around underneath - which I did. And
while I was there, I noticed that Mitsubishi has replaced the front
McPherson struts with unequal length transverse supports and that it has
the multi-link system from the previous top-line Eclipses in back.

TOM - That was changed in '95, Dad, and aside from the "spoiler" on
the trunk, the car is pretty much the same as that last one we tried.
That spoiler is useful too, but you have to be going over 100 mph for it
to work, I'm told.

BOB - It's been a while since I drove over a hundred, and Tom,
please don't let on to your mother that you drive that fast.

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